August 10, 2023 |
In Stormzy’s i-D “class of 2023,” the industry heavyweight named 23-year-old East-Londoner Äyanna as an artist to follow. In the Pop R&B singer-songwriter’s young career, she has already been in quite the accomplished company, featuring on Stormzy’s ‘Hide & Seek’ and the Top Boy track ‘Power (Remember Who You Are)’ alongside Spinall, Summer Walker, and DJ Snake – which she performed at the European MTV Music Awards. Today, the rising star launched into her latest endeavor, announcing her debut EP In a Perfect World.
And right now, we’re in Äyanna’s world. In five tracks, the songwriter takes us along a love story – hitting all those familiar feelings from a first love to love at first sight. The could-be heartbreak anthems meld in a tone of uplifting optimism.
Alongside the announcement, she released her latest single ‘Say You Love Me’ where her angelic voice pleads to be told those big three words. This follows her single ‘Girlfriend’ which marked the first episode of her rom-com sitcoms inspired video series. This meteoric climb started when she released her single ‘Party Tricks’ in 2019, catching the attention of her now-label Love Renaissance (LVRN) and then dropping out of law school to pursue music full-time.
Sonically, she pulls from her English and Jamaican-born parents, listening to Michael Jackson with her dad and taking vocal lessons with her mom. Infused with R&B, ’80s pop, soul and reggae, she describes her music, foremost, as “honest.”
Amidst this announcement, we snagged Äyanna for a conversation about her debut EP, working with Stormzy and some cheeky party tricks.
1. Who is Äyanna?
“I’m an artist and performer from London. I’m also a hopeful romantic, spiritual believer and sometimes I still feel like just a little girl.”
2. Tell us more about your debut EP, In a Perfect World – what was the inspiration behind it?
“The inspiration behind the EP was love. My first love to be exact, as well as the most significant love experiences of my life so far, accompanied by my imaginative and idealistic perspective on life in general.”
3. What is your favourite track on the EP?
“Definitely ‘Say You Love Me’. It just feels so soulful yet modern. And it’s simple too. I just love it. It’s one of those songs that sounds exactly like what it’s about.”
4. How did your childhood influence the type of music you make?
“My dad loved pop music when I was little. We listened to Michael Jackson, Air Supply, Toto and more. My brother listened to Beyonce, Gospel, Brandy, Toni Braxton. I’d say my music is an amalgamation of all of the music my brother and dad listened to when I was little. Now I love Flo, Ice Spice, and I’ve loved Sza since her first EP.”
5. Favourite album?
“Mama’s Gun by Erykah [Badu], Thriller by Michael [Jackson], or 4 by Beyoncé.”
6. How was it working with Stormzy on his single ‘Hide & Seek’?
“So much fun! It was honestly super surprising when I was asked to be on the track. It was such an honour. Stormzy is really inspirational to me. I hope to work with him again.”
7. What are three words to describe your sound?
“Contemporary, classic, cuii [Äyanna’s self-conceived motto].”
8. How do you hope to impact people with your music?
“My goal in music is to shift people’s frequency. All my favourite artists did this exact thing even outside of their art. I want to be known as someone who made people feel better.”
9. Do you have any party tricks?
“Probably my accents and impressions. I can also tie a cherry stem with my tongue. I can hula hoop for 15 minutes straight too.”
10. Favourite thing to do on a sunny day?
“Just sit in a field and do nothing with loads of ice lollies. Or go to the beach and do the same thing.”
Photography courtesy of Äyanna.
